Burma faces new worldwide criticism

The Asian Age: Burma faces new worldwide criticism over Suu Kyi attack
Rangoon, Nov. 11: : Burma's military authorities faced renewed
international condemnation on Monday following weekend attacks on the
motorcade of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Japan called on the Burmese government to explain the
"regrettable" violence in which Ms. Suu Kyi's motorcade was pelted with
rocks on three occasions Saturday by a mob she accused of being
government agents. "We called on the Burmese government to exercise
self-restraint," said Mr. Seiroku Kajiyama, chief Cabinet secretary and
spokesman.
The Japanese appeal followed a sharp statement from the United
States expressing outrage for the attacks in which the windscreens of two
vehicles were smashed and a senior opposition official was slightly
injured. The strongly worded statement from the US embassy here called on
the Burmese authorities to "punish those responsible for this attack(and)
to take every possible means to ensure the safety of Aung San Suu Kyi."
Ms. Suu Kyi Said the four cars had been attacked by members of the United
Solidarity Development Association- a state sponsored mass movement- as
she left her compound to meet supporters.
Mr. Tin Oo, a vice-chairman in Ms. Suu Kyi's National League for
Democracy, suffered a cut to the face when a car window shattered.
Witnesses said USDA members carrying sticks, stones and catapults blocked
access to Ms. Suu Kyi's house, arriving and departing on buses and pickup
trucks in orderly fashion. On Sunday, Ms. Suu Kyi met US Senator John
McCain, though details were not made public.
Mr. McCain, who also met Burma's powerful intelligence chief,
Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, and Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw, played a
role recently in negotiations leading to amendments softening tough
economic sanctions against Burma in legislation passed by the US Congress.
Fueling the growing international storm, Ms. Suu Kyi has issued a
videotaped appeal to the European Union calling for economic sanctions
against Burma. The tape is to be screened on Monday before the European
Parliament. (AFP)